Course Title: Research Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Project

Credit Points: 36.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BIOL2096	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Margaret Deighton.

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7123

Course Coordinator Email: m_deighton@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Completion of one year of the Master of Biotechnology or equivalent, with average grade of DISTINCTION or higher.

Course Description

This course has a vocational focus. It assists students to develop skills in biological research and scientific communication, including design and performance of experiments, analysis and presentation of experimental data, oral and written scientific reports that use these skills, e.g. diagnostic and analytical laboratories, research laboratories and positions in companies which market and/or manufacture biological products.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

AFTER COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
1.conduct an independent research project,
2.adhere to responsible laboratory practice regarding data collection and recording, laboratory safety, time and project management, experimental design, accuracy and precision, analysis and interpretation of results, information retrieval,
3.critically read scientific literature, analyse experimental data, prepare a minor thesis (draft, edit, format, check for errors), understand confidentiality issues regarding medical and biological sciences,
4.present a seminar on the results of a research project.

This course is particularly important in the graduate capabilities of: critical-thinking ability, responsibility, ethical behaviour, employability, adaptability, competency in technical skills, self-directed and motivated learning skills, problem-solving ability and good communication skills (written and verbal), independent learning.

Overview of Learning Activities

Preparation of reference list and project outline, project work under the guidance of supervisor, participation in laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, writing and editing thesis in consultation with supervisor, preparation of and presentation of seminar.

Overview of Learning Resources

There are no prescribed or recommended books for this course. Students should obtain material appropriate to their individual topic, by discussion with their supervisors and by searching appropriate data bases e.g. Current Contents, PubMed.

Overview of Assessment

The thesis is forms the major part of the assessment for this course. Assessment is also based on presentation of a seminar on the results of the research project and timely presentation of components of the thesis for review.

The expectation of the program and course teams is that students will work diligently and effectively towards achieving the required standard of knowledge, comprehension, technical skills and productivity to achieve a pass in the course.